US20080170683A1 - Adaptive notification of an incoming call in a mobile phone - Google Patents
Adaptive notification of an incoming call in a mobile phone Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080170683A1 US20080170683A1 US12/032,756 US3275608A US2008170683A1 US 20080170683 A1 US20080170683 A1 US 20080170683A1 US 3275608 A US3275608 A US 3275608A US 2008170683 A1 US2008170683 A1 US 2008170683A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- incoming call
- accordance
- telephone handset
- signaling
- local
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M19/00—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems
- H04M19/02—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone
- H04M19/04—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone the ringing-current being generated at the substations
- H04M19/042—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone the ringing-current being generated at the substations with variable loudness of the ringing tone, e.g. variable envelope or amplitude of ring signal
- H04M19/044—Current supply arrangements for telephone systems providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone the ringing-current being generated at the substations with variable loudness of the ringing tone, e.g. variable envelope or amplitude of ring signal according to the level of ambient noise
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
- H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
- H04M1/72448—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
- H04M1/72454—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions according to context-related or environment-related conditions
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
- H04M2250/12—Details of telephonic subscriber devices including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
Definitions
- the present invention relates to telephone handsets, and in particular, to devices within telephone handsets for handling announcement of incoming calls and for outputting a received voice communication.
- Mobile phones are ubiquitous devices used by an ever-increasing body of users who exhibit tendencies to carry their mobile phones with them wherever they go. Thus, it is not uncommon for users to bring their mobile phones to many different environments, including offices, restaurants, public transportation, private vehicles, and even to lavatories.
- One salient feature of mobile phones is a signaling mechanism for handling announcement of incoming calls such as a ringer or a vibration device.
- Proper social etiquette often requires that users lower the volume setting of their phone ringer when located in a quiet location such as a quiet office meeting room.
- users often prefer a louder volume setting in a noisy setting such as a crowded train station, in order to ensure that the ringing of the device is properly heard and that an incoming call is not missed.
- users sometimes prefer an additional vibration signal when an incoming call arrives.
- Some phone handsets include mechanisms for adjusting a loudness of a ringer.
- Some devices provide user interfaces for defining multiple signaling profiles, where each profile specifies a behavior that the ringing device and/or the vibrating device are to exhibit upon detection by the phone handset of an incoming call. A user of these devices can manually select the appropriate signaling profile in accordance with his or her immediate physical environment.
- One commonly used profile is the “meeting” profile, whereby an incoming call is announced such that a user is informed without interfering with the meeting.
- Additional common profiles include “normal”, and “outside” (extremely high volume).
- the presently disclosed telephone handset includes a noise sensing mechanism for generating an electrical signal in accordance with a measured ambient noise level, and an incoming call signaling mechanism for handling announcement of a detected incoming call in a manner determined at least in part in accordance with the electrical signal.
- the incoming call signaling mechanism includes an audio signaling mechanism whose loudness is adjusted in accordance with the electrical signal.
- the incoming call signaling mechanism includes a vibration mechanism whose amplitude is adjusted in accordance with the electrical signal.
- the noise sensing mechanism is operative to measure the ambient noise level upon detection of the incoming call.
- the noise sensing mechanism is configured to periodically measure the ambient noise level.
- the noise sensing mechanism is also used to receive the voice communication.
- the incoming call signaling mechanism handles announcement of the detected incoming call in part according to a user preference selectable from a plurality of user preferences.
- the telephone handset further includes a user interface for selecting a user preference.
- the user interface allows for the selection of a mode whereupon a specific, predefined user preference is selected at least in part in accordance with the detected electrical signal indicative of the local ambient noise level.
- the device is operative so that according a first selected user preference, a second user preference is selected in accordance with the electrical signal. Once the second user preference is automatically selected, the call signaling mechanism handles announcement of the detected incoming call in accordance with the automatically selected second user preference.
- the presently disclosed telephone handset includes an override mechanism for overriding at least part of the mechanism whereby the incoming call signaling mechanism handles announcement of incoming calls in accordance with the electrical signal indicative of the measured ambient noise level.
- the user interface provides a “complete override” user preference, whereby the incoming call signaling mechanism handles announcement of incoming calls in a manner that is insensitive to said measured ambient noise level.
- the incoming call signaling mechanism includes a plurality of incoming call signaling devices.
- at least one incoming call signaling device is operative to handle announcement of incoming calls only upon selection of a user preference to signal according to the measured ambient noise level.
- the call signaling mechanism handles announcement in accordance with a plurality of signaling configurations.
- only a subset of signaling configurations are specifiable using the user interface.
- the incoming call signaling mechanism includes a ring-tone mechanism for the handling of announcement of the incoming phone call.
- the ring-tone mechanism is operative to select a specific ring-tone at least in part in accordance with the electrical signal.
- the currently disclosed method includes generating an electrical signal in accordance with an electrically measured ambient noise level, detecting the incoming call, and handling announcement of the incoming call in a manner determined at least in part by the electrical signal.
- the currently disclosed method is automatic, independent of user input.
- the handling announcement includes producing a sound whose loudness is in accordance with the electrical signal.
- the handling announcement includes producing a mechanical vibration whose intensity is in accordance with the electrical signal.
- the presently disclosed handset includes a noise sensing mechanism for generating an electrical signal in accordance with a measured ambient noise level, and an audio speaker for outputting the received voice communication, wherein a loudness of the audio speaker is determined at least in part in accordance with the electrical signal.
- the noise sensing mechanism is operative to measure the ambient noise level upon detection of the incoming call.
- the noise sensing mechanism is configured to periodically measure the ambient noise level.
- the loudness is determined in part according to a user preference selectable from a plurality of user preferences.
- the telephone handset further includes a user interface for selecting a user preference.
- the audio speaker is operative to output the received voice communication at a plurality of loudness values, and only a subset of loudness values are specifiable using said user interface.
- the disclosed method includes generating an electrical signal in accordance with an electrically measured ambient noise level, receiving the transmitted voice communication, and outputting with the audio speaker the transmitted voice communication, wherein a loudness of the output is determined at least in part in accordance with the electrical signal.
- a telephone handset including a location sensing mechanism for generating an electrical signal in accordance with a sensed location of the telephone handset, and an incoming call signaling mechanism for handling announcement of a detected incoming call in a manner determined at least in part in accordance with the sensed electrical signal.
- the location sensing mechanism is operative to sense the location of the telephone handset upon detection of the incoming call.
- the location sensing mechanism is configured to periodically sense the location of the telephone
- the telephone handset further includes a housing, and both the location sensing mechanism and the incoming call signaling mechanism are located within said housing.
- the currently disclosed method includes generating an electrical signal in accordance with an electrically measured sensed location of the telephone handset, detecting the incoming call, and handling announcement of the incoming call in a manner determined at least in part by the electrical signal.
- the currently disclosed method is automatic, independent of user input.
- the handling announcement includes producing a sound whose loudness is in accordance with the electrical signal.
- the handling announcement includes producing a mechanical vibration whose intensity is in accordance with the electrical signal.
- a telephone handset including an environmental sensing mechanism for generating an electrical signal in accordance with measured local environmental conditions, and an incoming call signaling mechanism for handling announcement of a detected incoming call in a manner determined at least in part in accordance with the electrical signal.
- the environmental sensing mechanism is operative to measure the local environmental conditions upon detection of the incoming call.
- the environmental sensing mechanism is configured to periodically measure the local environmental conditions.
- measured local environmental conditions includes a presence of a substance.
- Exemplary substances that can be detected by the environmental sensing mechanism include but are not limited to odorous substances and water vapor.
- the environmental sensing mechanism is operative to measure at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a local wind speed, a local relative humidity, a local barometric pressure, a local dew point, and a local windchill.
- FIG. 1 provides a block diagram of telephone handsets wherein a signaling circuit handles announcement of an incoming call at least in part in accordance with a measured ambient noise level.
- FIG. 2 provides a block diagram of telephone handsets wherein a signaling circuit handles announcement of an incoming call at least in part in accordance with an electrical signal from a sensing circuit.
- FIG. 3 provides a block diagram of telephone handsets wherein an audio speaker outputs a received voice communication with a loudness determined at least in part in accordance with a measured ambient noise level.
- FIG. 4 provides a block diagram of telephone handsets wherein an audio speaker outputs a received voice communication with a loudness determined at least in part in accordance with an electrical signal from a sensing circuit.
- FIG. 1 provides a block diagram of an exemplary telephone handset 100 A or transceiver device such as a cellular telephone, a PDA phone, a portable telephone, or a conventional telephone.
- the telephone handset 100 A or transceiver device is operative to transmit and receive voice communications.
- the telephone handset 100 A includes a noise sensing mechanism 104 such as a microphone or piezoelectric sensor, an incoming call detector 124 , and at least one signaling circuit 150 for announcing a detected incoming call.
- the telephone handset includes a device control 130 A operative to instruct at least one signaling circuit 150 to handle announcement of the incoming call in accordance with a signaling profile.
- the device control 130 A is implemented as electronic circuitry, software, or a combination thereof.
- Exemplary signaling circuits include audio signaling devices 152 such as an electronic ringer, and vibration devices 154 .
- Each signaling profile is composed of at least one signaling configuration, and each signaling configuration provides an instruction to at least one signaling circuit 150 describing how to handle announcement of an incoming call. Thus, each signaling profile provides one or more of instructions to the signaling circuits 150 .
- signaling configuration is a ringer loudness.
- Other examples of signaling configurations include but are not limited to specific ring-tones for announcing the incoming call, an intensity of a vibration mechanism, or instructions specifying how to signal the call using a combination of signaling devices.
- a signaling profile is a set of instructions to announce an incoming call using a specific ringtone at a designated loudness.
- signaling configurations and signaling profiles are stored in memory (not shown) of the device, though this is not a specific requirement of the present invention.
- the device provides a mechanism for deriving signaling configurations and signaling profiles.
- the noise sensing mechanism 104 measures the ambient noise level and produces an electrical signal indicative of measured noise level.
- the noise sensing circuit 104 includes an A/D converter.
- the device control 130 A detects the electric signal outputted from the noise sensing mechanism 104 as well as output from the incoming call detector 124 .
- the device control 130 A Upon receiving an indication of an incoming call from the incoming call detector 124 , the device control 130 A instructs at least one signaling circuit 150 to handle announcement of the call in accordance with a signaling profile selected in accordance with the electrical signal outputted from the noise sensing circuit 104 .
- the mechanism whereby the signaling circuit 150 handles announcement of the incoming call at least in part in accordance with a measured ambient noise level is operative automatically, independent of user intervention.
- the noise sensing mechanism 104 includes the microphone used by the telephone handset for receiving voice communications to be transmitted by the device.
- the device control 130 A instructs the audio signaling circuit 152 to signal the incoming call with a loudness that increases as the measured ambient noise level increases.
- the loudness is zero for certain ambient noise levels, and the audio signaling circuit 152 does not announce the incoming call.
- the device control 130 A instructs the vibration mechanism 154 to vibrate with an amplitude that increases as the measured ambient noise level increases.
- the amplitude is exactly zero for certain ambient noise levels, and the vibration mechanism 154 does not vibrate to announce the incoming call.
- the noise sensing circuit 104 measures the ambient noise level at periodic time intervals in accordance with output from an optional timer 126 .
- the noise sensing circuit 104 measures the ambient noise level upon receiving instructions from the device control 130 A. In a particular embodiment, this feature is implemented such that upon detection of an incoming call by the incoming call detector 124 , the device control 130 A instructs the noise sensing circuit 104 to measure the ambient noise level.
- the telephone handset 100 A includes a user interface 120 A for receiving user preferences or user preference profiles.
- a signaling profile instructing the signaling circuit 150 how to handle announcement of a specific incoming call is derived and/or retrieved from memory in part in accordance with user preferences received through user interface 120 A.
- the user interface 120 A provides an optional override mode, and upon activation of the override mode the device control 130 A instructs at least one signaling circuit 150 to handle announcement of incoming calls only in accordance with received user preferences in a manner that is insensitive to the ambient noise level.
- the user interface 120 A provides for selection of a “combination” mode.
- a signaling profile is derived and/or retrieved from memory in accordance with both a selected user preference or preference profile as well as the electrical output of the noise sensing mechanism 104 .
- a specific ring-tone is selected in accordance with the calling party, while the loudness of the ring-tone is determined by the ambient noise measured by the noise sensing mechanism 104 .
- the loudness of the audio signaling mechanism 152 is determined both by a loudness user preference as well as the ambient noise level as measured by the noise sensing mechanism 104 .
- certain signaling configurations cannot be specified through user interface 120 A, and are provided at least in part in accordance with the ambient noise measured by the noise sensing mechanism 104 .
- loudness of an audio signaling circuit 152 such as a ringer.
- the user interface 120 A allows the user to select a loudness from a plurality of discrete loudness settings.
- the user interface 120 A provides a limited number of loudness settings, such as at most 10, so as not to overburden the user with a multiplicity of options.
- certain intermediate values of ringer loudness level levels are now provided in accordance with a measured ambient noise level.
- the phone can now effectively in certain embodiments provide many more loudness settings, only slightly differing from each other in accordance with subtle changes in the ambient noise level.
- the device provides an infinite number of ringer loudness values in accordance with an analog signal received from noise sensing circuit 104 .
- control device 130 A is configurable to instruct the signaling circuit 150 to handle announcement of the incoming call in accordance with a specific user profile selected from the plurality of pre-defined user profiles.
- the selection of the specific user profile is carried out at least in part in accordance with the ambient noise level as measured by the noise sensing mechanism 104 .
- each pre-defined user profile specifies a different ring tone.
- the device control 130 A instructs the audio signaling mechanism 152 to announce detected incoming calls according to one specific ring tone selected in accordance with the measured ambient noise as indicated by the output of the noise sensing mechanism 104 .
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of telephone handsets that provide Other Sensing Circuits 102 .
- Device control 130 B instructs at least one signaling circuit 150 to handle announcement of the call in accordance with a signaling profile selected in accordance with the electrical signal outputted from one or more of the other sensing circuits 102 .
- the signaling circuit 150 handles announcement of the call according to the selected signaling profile.
- the mechanism whereby the signaling circuit 150 handles announcement of the incoming call at least in part in accordance with a measured output from at least one of the other signaling circuits 102 is operative automatically, independent of user intervention.
- the other sensing circuit 102 is operative to effect a measurement at periodic time intervals in accordance with output from an optional timer 126 .
- the other sensing circuit 102 is operative to effect a measurement upon detection of an incoming call.
- One exemplary signaling circuit 102 is a location sensing circuit 106 such as a GPS sensor or a device that senses location by triangulation from base stations.
- a location sensing circuit 106 such as a GPS sensor or a device that senses location by triangulation from base stations.
- a signaling profile for a loud ringing and a strong vibration indication of an incoming call is automatically selected by the device control 130 B at least in part in accordance with an electrical signal received from the location sensing circuit 106 .
- a telephone handset 100 B belonging to an attorney is programmed so that the device control 130 B automatically selects a signaling profile for quiet ringing when the location sensing circuit 106 indicates that the telephone handset 100 B is located in the vicinity of a courthouse.
- One exemplary signaling circuit 102 is a motion sensing circuit 106 such as the motion sensing circuit provided in certain GPS devices.
- a signaling profile for a loud ringing and a strong vibration is automatically selected by the device control 130 B when the motion sensing circuit 108 indicates that the device is traveling in a fast moving car.
- One exemplary signaling circuit is a light sensing circuit 110 such as those provided in telephone handsets with digital cameras.
- a signaling profile for a quiet ringing is automatically selected by the device control 130 B when the light sensing circuit 110 indicates that the device is in a dark room such as a dark bedroom or a movie theater.
- One exemplary signaling circuit is an image sensing circuit 112 such as those provided in telephone handsets with digital cameras.
- image sensing circuit 112 such as those provided in telephone handsets with digital cameras.
- it is desired to have quiet ringing in a certain room characterized by specific visual features.
- a signaling profile for a quiet ringing is automatically selected by the device control 130 B when the image sensing circuit 112 outputs an electrical signal indicating that the specific visual features have been detected.
- One exemplary signaling circuit is an environmental sensing circuit 114 for measuring local environmental conditions such as the presence of a substance.
- a loud ringer is desired in outdoor conditions, while a quieter ringer is preferred in indoor conditions.
- the environmental sensing circuit 114 is thus operative to measure at least one of a local wind speed, a local relative humidity, a local barometric pressure, a local dew point, and a local windchill, and to output an electrical signal indicative of a least one of these parameters.
- the control device 130 B selects the appropriate signaling profile at least in part in accordance with the electrical signal outputted by the environmental sensing circuit.
- the presence of a substance such as water vapor is indicative of whether or not the device is outdoors, and the environmental sensing circuit 114 is operative to measure the presence of water vapor.
- the environmental sensing circuit 114 includes a mechanism for detecting the presence of an odorous substance.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram of telephone handsets that provide a mechanism for automatically adjusting a loudness of an audio speaker 162 for outputting a received voice communication in accordance with an electrically measured ambient noise level. This mechanism is operative independent of user intervention.
- this circuit for receiving voice communication 160 includes a radio receiver device.
- Embodiments of the present invention described in FIG. 3 free the user from the burden of manually adjusting the volume of the audio speaker in these situations.
- the volume of the audio speaker 162 can be appropriately adjusted before a telephone conversation even begins.
- the telephone handset 100 C includes a timer, and the ambient noise level is measured periodically.
- the telephone includes a user interface 120 C allows the user to select a loudness of audio speaker 162 from a plurality of discrete loudness settings.
- the user interface 120 C provides a limited number of loudness settings, such as at most 10, so as not to overburden the user with a multiplicity of options.
- certain intermediate values of audio speaker 162 loudness, not specifiable through the user interface are now provided in accordance with a measured ambient noise level. It is noted that this adaptive mechanism thus works in smaller steps, yielding a smoother operation.
- the device provides an infinite number of audio speaker 162 loudness values in accordance with an analog signal received from noise sensing circuit 104 .
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram of telephone handset 100 D provided by certain embodiments of the present invention wherein a loudness of the audio speaker 162 is automatically adjusted at least in part in accordance with an electrical signal outputted from Other Sensing Circuits 102 .
- each of the verbs, “comprise” “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Telephone Function (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/642,054, filed Jan. 10, 2005.
- The present invention relates to telephone handsets, and in particular, to devices within telephone handsets for handling announcement of incoming calls and for outputting a received voice communication.
- Mobile phones are ubiquitous devices used by an ever-increasing body of users who exhibit tendencies to carry their mobile phones with them wherever they go. Thus, it is not uncommon for users to bring their mobile phones to many different environments, including offices, restaurants, public transportation, private vehicles, and even to lavatories.
- One salient feature of mobile phones is a signaling mechanism for handling announcement of incoming calls such as a ringer or a vibration device. Proper social etiquette often requires that users lower the volume setting of their phone ringer when located in a quiet location such as a quiet office meeting room. Conversely, users often prefer a louder volume setting in a noisy setting such as a crowded train station, in order to ensure that the ringing of the device is properly heard and that an incoming call is not missed. Furthermore, in such noisy environments users sometimes prefer an additional vibration signal when an incoming call arrives.
- Towards this end, most phone handsets include mechanisms for adjusting a loudness of a ringer. Some devices provide user interfaces for defining multiple signaling profiles, where each profile specifies a behavior that the ringing device and/or the vibrating device are to exhibit upon detection by the phone handset of an incoming call. A user of these devices can manually select the appropriate signaling profile in accordance with his or her immediate physical environment.
- One commonly used profile is the “meeting” profile, whereby an incoming call is announced such that a user is informed without interfering with the meeting. Additional common profiles include “normal”, and “outside” (extremely high volume).
- Unfortunately, as users carry their mobile devices from one physical environment to another, they often forget or neglect to manually activate the appropriate signaling profile for signaling incoming calls. This can lead to undesirable consequences, such as missed incoming calls in noisy environments or embarrassing situations wherein a mobile phone generates a loud noise in quiet environment.
- There is an apparent need for telephone handsets that appropriately handle announcement of incoming calls without requiring users to manually attend to device settings.
- The aforementioned needs are satisfied by several aspects of the present invention.
- It is now disclosed for the first time a telephone handset for transmitting a voice communication. The presently disclosed telephone handset includes a noise sensing mechanism for generating an electrical signal in accordance with a measured ambient noise level, and an incoming call signaling mechanism for handling announcement of a detected incoming call in a manner determined at least in part in accordance with the electrical signal.
- According to some embodiments, the incoming call signaling mechanism includes an audio signaling mechanism whose loudness is adjusted in accordance with the electrical signal.
- According to some embodiments, the incoming call signaling mechanism includes a vibration mechanism whose amplitude is adjusted in accordance with the electrical signal.
- According to some embodiments, the noise sensing mechanism is operative to measure the ambient noise level upon detection of the incoming call.
- According to some embodiments, the noise sensing mechanism is configured to periodically measure the ambient noise level.
- According to some embodiments, the noise sensing mechanism is also used to receive the voice communication.
- According to some embodiments, the incoming call signaling mechanism handles announcement of the detected incoming call in part according to a user preference selectable from a plurality of user preferences. Thus, according to some embodiments the telephone handset further includes a user interface for selecting a user preference.
- According to some embodiments, the user interface allows for the selection of a mode whereupon a specific, predefined user preference is selected at least in part in accordance with the detected electrical signal indicative of the local ambient noise level. In a particular embodiment, the device is operative so that according a first selected user preference, a second user preference is selected in accordance with the electrical signal. Once the second user preference is automatically selected, the call signaling mechanism handles announcement of the detected incoming call in accordance with the automatically selected second user preference.
- According to some embodiments, the presently disclosed telephone handset includes an override mechanism for overriding at least part of the mechanism whereby the incoming call signaling mechanism handles announcement of incoming calls in accordance with the electrical signal indicative of the measured ambient noise level.
- According to some embodiments, the user interface provides a “complete override” user preference, whereby the incoming call signaling mechanism handles announcement of incoming calls in a manner that is insensitive to said measured ambient noise level.
- According to some embodiments, the incoming call signaling mechanism includes a plurality of incoming call signaling devices. In a particular embodiment, at least one incoming call signaling device is operative to handle announcement of incoming calls only upon selection of a user preference to signal according to the measured ambient noise level.
- According to some embodiments, the call signaling mechanism handles announcement in accordance with a plurality of signaling configurations. In a particular embodiment, only a subset of signaling configurations are specifiable using the user interface.
- According to some embodiments, the incoming call signaling mechanism includes a ring-tone mechanism for the handling of announcement of the incoming phone call. In a particular embodiment, the ring-tone mechanism is operative to select a specific ring-tone at least in part in accordance with the electrical signal.
- It is now disclosed for the first time a method of handling announcement of an incoming call in a telephone handset system. The currently disclosed method includes generating an electrical signal in accordance with an electrically measured ambient noise level, detecting the incoming call, and handling announcement of the incoming call in a manner determined at least in part by the electrical signal.
- According to some embodiments, the currently disclosed method is automatic, independent of user input.
- According to some embodiments, the handling announcement includes producing a sound whose loudness is in accordance with the electrical signal.
- According to some embodiments, the handling announcement includes producing a mechanical vibration whose intensity is in accordance with the electrical signal.
- It is now disclosed for the first time a telephone handset for receiving a transmitted voice communication. The presently disclosed handset includes a noise sensing mechanism for generating an electrical signal in accordance with a measured ambient noise level, and an audio speaker for outputting the received voice communication, wherein a loudness of the audio speaker is determined at least in part in accordance with the electrical signal.
- According to some embodiments, the noise sensing mechanism is operative to measure the ambient noise level upon detection of the incoming call.
- According to some embodiments, the noise sensing mechanism is configured to periodically measure the ambient noise level.
- According to some embodiments, the loudness is determined in part according to a user preference selectable from a plurality of user preferences. Thus, according to some embodiments the telephone handset further includes a user interface for selecting a user preference.
- According to some embodiments, the audio speaker is operative to output the received voice communication at a plurality of loudness values, and only a subset of loudness values are specifiable using said user interface.
- It is now disclosed for the first time a method of outputting a transmitted voice communication in a telephone handset system including an audio speaker. The disclosed method includes generating an electrical signal in accordance with an electrically measured ambient noise level, receiving the transmitted voice communication, and outputting with the audio speaker the transmitted voice communication, wherein a loudness of the output is determined at least in part in accordance with the electrical signal.
- It is now disclosed for the first time a telephone handset including a location sensing mechanism for generating an electrical signal in accordance with a sensed location of the telephone handset, and an incoming call signaling mechanism for handling announcement of a detected incoming call in a manner determined at least in part in accordance with the sensed electrical signal.
- According to some embodiments, the location sensing mechanism is operative to sense the location of the telephone handset upon detection of the incoming call.
- According to some embodiments, the location sensing mechanism is configured to periodically sense the location of the telephone
- According to some embodiments, the telephone handset further includes a housing, and both the location sensing mechanism and the incoming call signaling mechanism are located within said housing.
- It is now disclosed for the first time a method of handling announcement of an incoming call in a telephone handset system. The currently disclosed method includes generating an electrical signal in accordance with an electrically measured sensed location of the telephone handset, detecting the incoming call, and handling announcement of the incoming call in a manner determined at least in part by the electrical signal.
- According to some embodiments, the currently disclosed method is automatic, independent of user input.
- According to some embodiments, the handling announcement includes producing a sound whose loudness is in accordance with the electrical signal.
- According to some embodiments, the handling announcement includes producing a mechanical vibration whose intensity is in accordance with the electrical signal.
- It is now disclosed for the first time a telephone handset including an environmental sensing mechanism for generating an electrical signal in accordance with measured local environmental conditions, and an incoming call signaling mechanism for handling announcement of a detected incoming call in a manner determined at least in part in accordance with the electrical signal.
- According to some embodiments, the environmental sensing mechanism is operative to measure the local environmental conditions upon detection of the incoming call.
- According to some embodiments, the environmental sensing mechanism is configured to periodically measure the local environmental conditions.
- According to some embodiments, measured local environmental conditions includes a presence of a substance.
- Exemplary substances that can be detected by the environmental sensing mechanism include but are not limited to odorous substances and water vapor.
- In some embodiments, the environmental sensing mechanism is operative to measure at least one condition selected from the group consisting of a local wind speed, a local relative humidity, a local barometric pressure, a local dew point, and a local windchill.
- These and further embodiments will be apparent from the detailed description and examples that follow.
-
FIG. 1 provides a block diagram of telephone handsets wherein a signaling circuit handles announcement of an incoming call at least in part in accordance with a measured ambient noise level. -
FIG. 2 provides a block diagram of telephone handsets wherein a signaling circuit handles announcement of an incoming call at least in part in accordance with an electrical signal from a sensing circuit. -
FIG. 3 provides a block diagram of telephone handsets wherein an audio speaker outputs a received voice communication with a loudness determined at least in part in accordance with a measured ambient noise level. -
FIG. 4 provides a block diagram of telephone handsets wherein an audio speaker outputs a received voice communication with a loudness determined at least in part in accordance with an electrical signal from a sensing circuit. - Referring now to the drawings,
FIG. 1 provides a block diagram of anexemplary telephone handset 100A or transceiver device such as a cellular telephone, a PDA phone, a portable telephone, or a conventional telephone. Thetelephone handset 100A or transceiver device is operative to transmit and receive voice communications. Thetelephone handset 100A includes anoise sensing mechanism 104 such as a microphone or piezoelectric sensor, anincoming call detector 124, and at least onesignaling circuit 150 for announcing a detected incoming call. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , the telephone handset includes adevice control 130A operative to instruct at least onesignaling circuit 150 to handle announcement of the incoming call in accordance with a signaling profile. In different embodiments, thedevice control 130A is implemented as electronic circuitry, software, or a combination thereof. Exemplary signaling circuits includeaudio signaling devices 152 such as an electronic ringer, andvibration devices 154. - Each signaling profile is composed of at least one signaling configuration, and each signaling configuration provides an instruction to at least one
signaling circuit 150 describing how to handle announcement of an incoming call. Thus, each signaling profile provides one or more of instructions to the signalingcircuits 150. - One simple example of a signaling configuration is a ringer loudness. Other examples of signaling configurations include but are not limited to specific ring-tones for announcing the incoming call, an intensity of a vibration mechanism, or instructions specifying how to signal the call using a combination of signaling devices. Thus, one specific example of a signaling profile is a set of instructions to announce an incoming call using a specific ringtone at a designated loudness.
- It is noted that in some embodiments, signaling configurations and signaling profiles are stored in memory (not shown) of the device, though this is not a specific requirement of the present invention. Alternatively or additionally, the device provides a mechanism for deriving signaling configurations and signaling profiles.
- The
noise sensing mechanism 104 measures the ambient noise level and produces an electrical signal indicative of measured noise level. In some embodiments, thenoise sensing circuit 104 includes an A/D converter. Thedevice control 130A detects the electric signal outputted from thenoise sensing mechanism 104 as well as output from theincoming call detector 124. - Upon receiving an indication of an incoming call from the
incoming call detector 124, thedevice control 130A instructs at least onesignaling circuit 150 to handle announcement of the call in accordance with a signaling profile selected in accordance with the electrical signal outputted from thenoise sensing circuit 104. Thus, the mechanism whereby thesignaling circuit 150 handles announcement of the incoming call at least in part in accordance with a measured ambient noise level is operative automatically, independent of user intervention. - In some embodiments, the
noise sensing mechanism 104 includes the microphone used by the telephone handset for receiving voice communications to be transmitted by the device. - In an exemplary embodiment, the
device control 130A instructs theaudio signaling circuit 152 to signal the incoming call with a loudness that increases as the measured ambient noise level increases. In some embodiments, the loudness is zero for certain ambient noise levels, and theaudio signaling circuit 152 does not announce the incoming call. - Alternately or additionally, the
device control 130A instructs thevibration mechanism 154 to vibrate with an amplitude that increases as the measured ambient noise level increases. In some embodiments, the amplitude is exactly zero for certain ambient noise levels, and thevibration mechanism 154 does not vibrate to announce the incoming call. - In some embodiments, the
noise sensing circuit 104 measures the ambient noise level at periodic time intervals in accordance with output from anoptional timer 126. - In some embodiments, the
noise sensing circuit 104 measures the ambient noise level upon receiving instructions from thedevice control 130A. In a particular embodiment, this feature is implemented such that upon detection of an incoming call by theincoming call detector 124, thedevice control 130A instructs thenoise sensing circuit 104 to measure the ambient noise level. - Optionally, the
telephone handset 100A includes a user interface 120A for receiving user preferences or user preference profiles. In some embodiments, a signaling profile instructing thesignaling circuit 150 how to handle announcement of a specific incoming call is derived and/or retrieved from memory in part in accordance with user preferences received through user interface 120A. - In some embodiments, the user interface 120A provides an optional override mode, and upon activation of the override mode the
device control 130A instructs at least onesignaling circuit 150 to handle announcement of incoming calls only in accordance with received user preferences in a manner that is insensitive to the ambient noise level. - In some embodiments, the user interface 120A provides for selection of a “combination” mode. According to these combination modes, a signaling profile is derived and/or retrieved from memory in accordance with both a selected user preference or preference profile as well as the electrical output of the
noise sensing mechanism 104. One example is where a specific ring-tone is selected in accordance with the calling party, while the loudness of the ring-tone is determined by the ambient noise measured by thenoise sensing mechanism 104. In another example, the loudness of theaudio signaling mechanism 152 is determined both by a loudness user preference as well as the ambient noise level as measured by thenoise sensing mechanism 104. - In some embodiments, certain signaling configurations cannot be specified through user interface 120A, and are provided at least in part in accordance with the ambient noise measured by the
noise sensing mechanism 104. One example is loudness of anaudio signaling circuit 152 such as a ringer. In some embodiments, the user interface 120A allows the user to select a loudness from a plurality of discrete loudness settings. In some embodiments, the user interface 120A provides a limited number of loudness settings, such as at most 10, so as not to overburden the user with a multiplicity of options. Thus, according to this example, certain intermediate values of ringer loudness level levels, not specifiable through the user interface, are now provided in accordance with a measured ambient noise level. It is noted that this adaptive mechanism thus works in smaller steps, yielding a smoother operation. Instead of having only a few possible signaling configurations for loudness of a ringing device, the phone can now effectively in certain embodiments provide many more loudness settings, only slightly differing from each other in accordance with subtle changes in the ambient noise level. In a particular embodiment, the device provides an infinite number of ringer loudness values in accordance with an analog signal received fromnoise sensing circuit 104. - In some embodiments, the
control device 130A is configurable to instruct thesignaling circuit 150 to handle announcement of the incoming call in accordance with a specific user profile selected from the plurality of pre-defined user profiles. The selection of the specific user profile is carried out at least in part in accordance with the ambient noise level as measured by thenoise sensing mechanism 104. - In one example, each pre-defined user profile specifies a different ring tone. According to this example, the
device control 130A instructs theaudio signaling mechanism 152 to announce detected incoming calls according to one specific ring tone selected in accordance with the measured ambient noise as indicated by the output of thenoise sensing mechanism 104. -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of telephone handsets that provideOther Sensing Circuits 102.Device control 130B instructs at least onesignaling circuit 150 to handle announcement of the call in accordance with a signaling profile selected in accordance with the electrical signal outputted from one or more of theother sensing circuits 102. Upon detection of an incoming call with theincoming call detector 124, thesignaling circuit 150 handles announcement of the call according to the selected signaling profile. - Thus, the mechanism whereby the
signaling circuit 150 handles announcement of the incoming call at least in part in accordance with a measured output from at least one of theother signaling circuits 102 is operative automatically, independent of user intervention. - In some embodiments, the
other sensing circuit 102 is operative to effect a measurement at periodic time intervals in accordance with output from anoptional timer 126. - In some embodiments, the
other sensing circuit 102 is operative to effect a measurement upon detection of an incoming call. - One
exemplary signaling circuit 102 is alocation sensing circuit 106 such as a GPS sensor or a device that senses location by triangulation from base stations. In one example, when the device senses that a user is located in a train station, a signaling profile for a loud ringing and a strong vibration indication of an incoming call is automatically selected by thedevice control 130B at least in part in accordance with an electrical signal received from thelocation sensing circuit 106. In another example, atelephone handset 100B belonging to an attorney is programmed so that thedevice control 130B automatically selects a signaling profile for quiet ringing when thelocation sensing circuit 106 indicates that thetelephone handset 100B is located in the vicinity of a courthouse. - One
exemplary signaling circuit 102 is amotion sensing circuit 106 such as the motion sensing circuit provided in certain GPS devices. In one example, a signaling profile for a loud ringing and a strong vibration is automatically selected by thedevice control 130B when themotion sensing circuit 108 indicates that the device is traveling in a fast moving car. - One exemplary signaling circuit is a
light sensing circuit 110 such as those provided in telephone handsets with digital cameras. In one example, a signaling profile for a quiet ringing is automatically selected by thedevice control 130B when thelight sensing circuit 110 indicates that the device is in a dark room such as a dark bedroom or a movie theater. - One exemplary signaling circuit is an
image sensing circuit 112 such as those provided in telephone handsets with digital cameras. In one example, it is desired to have quiet ringing in a certain room characterized by specific visual features. According to this example, a signaling profile for a quiet ringing is automatically selected by thedevice control 130B when theimage sensing circuit 112 outputs an electrical signal indicating that the specific visual features have been detected. - One exemplary signaling circuit is an
environmental sensing circuit 114 for measuring local environmental conditions such as the presence of a substance. In one example, a loud ringer is desired in outdoor conditions, while a quieter ringer is preferred in indoor conditions. Theenvironmental sensing circuit 114 is thus operative to measure at least one of a local wind speed, a local relative humidity, a local barometric pressure, a local dew point, and a local windchill, and to output an electrical signal indicative of a least one of these parameters. Thecontrol device 130B selects the appropriate signaling profile at least in part in accordance with the electrical signal outputted by the environmental sensing circuit. - In another example, the presence of a substance such as water vapor is indicative of whether or not the device is outdoors, and the
environmental sensing circuit 114 is operative to measure the presence of water vapor. - In another example, it is desired to turn down the volume of the ringer or even to mute the ringer device while a user is located in a lavatory characterized by odors. Electronic devices for detecting the presence of odors are well known in the art, and the skilled practitioner is directed, for example, to US Published Patent Applications 2002/0116982 and 2002/0116983. According to this example, the
environmental sensing circuit 114 includes a mechanism for detecting the presence of an odorous substance. -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of telephone handsets that provide a mechanism for automatically adjusting a loudness of anaudio speaker 162 for outputting a received voice communication in accordance with an electrically measured ambient noise level. This mechanism is operative independent of user intervention. - As illustrated in
FIG. 3 , the transmitted voice communication is received by the circuit for receivingvoice communications 160. In some embodiments, this circuit for receivingvoice communication 160 includes a radio receiver device. - In a noisy local environment, it is often desired to increase the loudness of the
audio speaker 162 for outputting received transmitted voice communications to help ensure that the user can properly hear the voice communications. Embodiments of the present invention described inFIG. 3 free the user from the burden of manually adjusting the volume of the audio speaker in these situations. In embodiments wherein the ambient noise level is measured upon detection of the incoming call or earlier, the volume of theaudio speaker 162 can be appropriately adjusted before a telephone conversation even begins. - Optionally, the
telephone handset 100C includes a timer, and the ambient noise level is measured periodically. - Optionally, the telephone includes a user interface 120C allows the user to select a loudness of
audio speaker 162 from a plurality of discrete loudness settings. In some embodiments, the user interface 120C provides a limited number of loudness settings, such as at most 10, so as not to overburden the user with a multiplicity of options. Thus, according to this example, certain intermediate values ofaudio speaker 162 loudness, not specifiable through the user interface, are now provided in accordance with a measured ambient noise level. It is noted that this adaptive mechanism thus works in smaller steps, yielding a smoother operation. In a particular embodiment, the device provides an infinite number ofaudio speaker 162 loudness values in accordance with an analog signal received fromnoise sensing circuit 104. -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram oftelephone handset 100D provided by certain embodiments of the present invention wherein a loudness of theaudio speaker 162 is automatically adjusted at least in part in accordance with an electrical signal outputted from Other SensingCircuits 102. - In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, “comprise” “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.
- The present invention has been described using detailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of the invention. Some embodiments of the present invention utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments of the present invention that are described and embodiments of the present invention comprising different combinations of features noted in the described embodiments will occur to persons of the art. The scope of the invention is limited only by the following claims.
Claims (12)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/032,756 US20080170683A1 (en) | 2005-01-10 | 2008-02-18 | Adaptive notification of an incoming call in a mobile phone |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US64205405P | 2005-01-10 | 2005-01-10 | |
US11/094,263 US7333604B2 (en) | 2005-01-10 | 2005-03-31 | Adaptive notification of an incoming call in a mobile phone |
US12/032,756 US20080170683A1 (en) | 2005-01-10 | 2008-02-18 | Adaptive notification of an incoming call in a mobile phone |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/094,263 Division US7333604B2 (en) | 2005-01-10 | 2005-03-31 | Adaptive notification of an incoming call in a mobile phone |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080170683A1 true US20080170683A1 (en) | 2008-07-17 |
Family
ID=36653265
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/094,263 Expired - Fee Related US7333604B2 (en) | 2005-01-10 | 2005-03-31 | Adaptive notification of an incoming call in a mobile phone |
US12/032,756 Abandoned US20080170683A1 (en) | 2005-01-10 | 2008-02-18 | Adaptive notification of an incoming call in a mobile phone |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/094,263 Expired - Fee Related US7333604B2 (en) | 2005-01-10 | 2005-03-31 | Adaptive notification of an incoming call in a mobile phone |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US7333604B2 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080070640A1 (en) * | 2006-09-15 | 2008-03-20 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Mobile communication terminal and method for performing automatic incoming call notification mode change |
US20080144795A1 (en) * | 2006-12-13 | 2008-06-19 | Mona Singh | Methods And Systems For Selectively Playing Received Ringtones |
US20100004000A1 (en) * | 2008-07-03 | 2010-01-07 | Arima Communications Corp. | Method for Automatically Changing Incoming Call Alert Profile Upon the Current Location |
US8660616B1 (en) | 2012-08-20 | 2014-02-25 | International Business Machines Corporation | Ambient sound-based call functions |
US8923824B1 (en) * | 2012-08-28 | 2014-12-30 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Mobile notifications based upon location |
US20150229756A1 (en) * | 2014-02-07 | 2015-08-13 | First Principles, Inc. | Device and method for authenticating a user of a voice user interface and selectively managing incoming communications |
US9143898B1 (en) | 2013-04-22 | 2015-09-22 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Automatically selecting alert modes based on location |
Families Citing this family (71)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8033067B2 (en) * | 2003-09-23 | 2011-10-11 | Miller Allan S | Multi-level apartment building |
US7396732B2 (en) * | 2004-12-17 | 2008-07-08 | Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum Vzw (Imec) | Formation of deep trench airgaps and related applications |
US20060248183A1 (en) * | 2005-04-28 | 2006-11-02 | Microsoft Corporation | Programmable notifications for a mobile device |
US8046019B2 (en) * | 2006-08-04 | 2011-10-25 | Futurewei Technologies, Inc. | Method and system for optimal allocation of uplink transmission power in communication networks |
US8325654B2 (en) | 2006-12-28 | 2012-12-04 | Futurewei Technologies, Inc. | Integrated scheduling and power control for the uplink of an OFDMA network |
US8995683B2 (en) * | 2006-12-29 | 2015-03-31 | Google Technology Holdings LLC | Methods and devices for adaptive ringtone generation |
US8150024B1 (en) * | 2007-09-10 | 2012-04-03 | Sprint Spectrum L.P. | Methods and systems for setting a volume level of ringback media presented to a calling party |
US20090140853A1 (en) * | 2007-11-30 | 2009-06-04 | Nokia Corporation | Method and Apparatus for Alert Control |
US8836502B2 (en) * | 2007-12-28 | 2014-09-16 | Apple Inc. | Personal media device input and output control based on associated conditions |
US8164421B2 (en) * | 2008-10-01 | 2012-04-24 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Adaptive remote verification of vehicular functions |
US8487759B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2013-07-16 | Apple Inc. | Self adapting haptic device |
US8552859B2 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2013-10-08 | Apple Inc. | Self adapting alert device |
US10013058B2 (en) | 2010-09-21 | 2018-07-03 | Apple Inc. | Touch-based user interface with haptic feedback |
US10120446B2 (en) | 2010-11-19 | 2018-11-06 | Apple Inc. | Haptic input device |
JP6090163B2 (en) * | 2011-07-06 | 2017-03-08 | 日本電気株式会社 | Notification device, notification method, and program |
US8660248B2 (en) * | 2011-07-13 | 2014-02-25 | Rajesh Cheethirala | Method and structure for controlling incoming communication notification |
JP5935516B2 (en) | 2012-06-01 | 2016-06-15 | ソニー株式会社 | Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program |
KR101958255B1 (en) * | 2012-08-20 | 2019-03-14 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Method and apparatus for controlling vibration intensity according to situation awareness in electronic device |
US9178509B2 (en) | 2012-09-28 | 2015-11-03 | Apple Inc. | Ultra low travel keyboard |
WO2015020663A1 (en) | 2013-08-08 | 2015-02-12 | Honessa Development Laboratories Llc | Sculpted waveforms with no or reduced unforced response |
US9779592B1 (en) | 2013-09-26 | 2017-10-03 | Apple Inc. | Geared haptic feedback element |
US9886093B2 (en) | 2013-09-27 | 2018-02-06 | Apple Inc. | Band with haptic actuators |
US9928950B2 (en) | 2013-09-27 | 2018-03-27 | Apple Inc. | Polarized magnetic actuators for haptic response |
US10126817B2 (en) | 2013-09-29 | 2018-11-13 | Apple Inc. | Devices and methods for creating haptic effects |
WO2015047372A1 (en) | 2013-09-30 | 2015-04-02 | Pearl Capital Developments Llc | Magnetic actuators for haptic response |
US9317118B2 (en) | 2013-10-22 | 2016-04-19 | Apple Inc. | Touch surface for simulating materials |
CN105814510B (en) | 2013-12-10 | 2019-06-07 | 苹果公司 | Band body attachment mechanism with haptic response |
US9501912B1 (en) | 2014-01-27 | 2016-11-22 | Apple Inc. | Haptic feedback device with a rotating mass of variable eccentricity |
CN106489116B (en) | 2014-04-21 | 2019-08-16 | 苹果公司 | The distribution of the power of multi-touch input equipment for electronic equipment |
US9390599B2 (en) | 2014-05-19 | 2016-07-12 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Noise-sensitive alert presentation |
DE102015209639A1 (en) | 2014-06-03 | 2015-12-03 | Apple Inc. | Linear actuator |
EP3195088A2 (en) | 2014-09-02 | 2017-07-26 | Apple Inc. | Haptic notifications |
GB2533400A (en) | 2014-12-19 | 2016-06-22 | Ibm | Mobile phone call handling |
WO2016138144A2 (en) * | 2015-02-25 | 2016-09-01 | Immersion Corporation | Systems and methods for providing context-sensitive haptic notification frameworks |
US10353467B2 (en) | 2015-03-06 | 2019-07-16 | Apple Inc. | Calibration of haptic devices |
AU2016100399B4 (en) | 2015-04-17 | 2017-02-02 | Apple Inc. | Contracting and elongating materials for providing input and output for an electronic device |
US10566888B2 (en) | 2015-09-08 | 2020-02-18 | Apple Inc. | Linear actuators for use in electronic devices |
US10039080B2 (en) | 2016-03-04 | 2018-07-31 | Apple Inc. | Situationally-aware alerts |
CN105898040A (en) * | 2016-03-30 | 2016-08-24 | 上海斐讯数据通信技术有限公司 | Incoming call management system and method |
US10268272B2 (en) | 2016-03-31 | 2019-04-23 | Apple Inc. | Dampening mechanical modes of a haptic actuator using a delay |
JP2018060313A (en) * | 2016-10-04 | 2018-04-12 | ソニー株式会社 | Receiving device and method, transmitting device and method, and program |
KR20180068128A (en) * | 2016-12-13 | 2018-06-21 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Mobile terminal and method for controlling the same |
US10732714B2 (en) | 2017-05-08 | 2020-08-04 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Integrated haptic system |
US10622538B2 (en) | 2017-07-18 | 2020-04-14 | Apple Inc. | Techniques for providing a haptic output and sensing a haptic input using a piezoelectric body |
US11259121B2 (en) | 2017-07-21 | 2022-02-22 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Surface speaker |
US10832537B2 (en) | 2018-04-04 | 2020-11-10 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for outputting a haptic signal to a haptic transducer |
US11269415B2 (en) | 2018-08-14 | 2022-03-08 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Haptic output systems |
US10599223B1 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2020-03-24 | Apple Inc. | Button providing force sensing and/or haptic output |
US10691211B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2020-06-23 | Apple Inc. | Button providing force sensing and/or haptic output |
GB201817495D0 (en) | 2018-10-26 | 2018-12-12 | Cirrus Logic Int Semiconductor Ltd | A force sensing system and method |
US11644370B2 (en) | 2019-03-29 | 2023-05-09 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Force sensing with an electromagnetic load |
US10828672B2 (en) | 2019-03-29 | 2020-11-10 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Driver circuitry |
US10726683B1 (en) | 2019-03-29 | 2020-07-28 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Identifying mechanical impedance of an electromagnetic load using a two-tone stimulus |
US10955955B2 (en) | 2019-03-29 | 2021-03-23 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Controller for use in a device comprising force sensors |
US11283337B2 (en) | 2019-03-29 | 2022-03-22 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Methods and systems for improving transducer dynamics |
US11509292B2 (en) | 2019-03-29 | 2022-11-22 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Identifying mechanical impedance of an electromagnetic load using least-mean-squares filter |
US10992297B2 (en) | 2019-03-29 | 2021-04-27 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Device comprising force sensors |
US10976825B2 (en) | 2019-06-07 | 2021-04-13 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Methods and apparatuses for controlling operation of a vibrational output system and/or operation of an input sensor system |
GB2604215B (en) | 2019-06-21 | 2024-01-31 | Cirrus Logic Int Semiconductor Ltd | A method and apparatus for configuring a plurality of virtual buttons on a device |
US11380470B2 (en) | 2019-09-24 | 2022-07-05 | Apple Inc. | Methods to control force in reluctance actuators based on flux related parameters |
US11408787B2 (en) | 2019-10-15 | 2022-08-09 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Control methods for a force sensor system |
US11380175B2 (en) * | 2019-10-24 | 2022-07-05 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Reproducibility of haptic waveform |
US11545951B2 (en) | 2019-12-06 | 2023-01-03 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Methods and systems for detecting and managing amplifier instability |
US11662821B2 (en) | 2020-04-16 | 2023-05-30 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | In-situ monitoring, calibration, and testing of a haptic actuator |
US10999416B1 (en) * | 2020-12-09 | 2021-05-04 | Coupang Corp. | Systems and methods for recurrent and adaptive electronic notifications |
US11977683B2 (en) | 2021-03-12 | 2024-05-07 | Apple Inc. | Modular systems configured to provide localized haptic feedback using inertial actuators |
US11933822B2 (en) | 2021-06-16 | 2024-03-19 | Cirrus Logic Inc. | Methods and systems for in-system estimation of actuator parameters |
US11765499B2 (en) | 2021-06-22 | 2023-09-19 | Cirrus Logic Inc. | Methods and systems for managing mixed mode electromechanical actuator drive |
US11908310B2 (en) | 2021-06-22 | 2024-02-20 | Cirrus Logic Inc. | Methods and systems for detecting and managing unexpected spectral content in an amplifier system |
US11809631B2 (en) | 2021-09-21 | 2023-11-07 | Apple Inc. | Reluctance haptic engine for an electronic device |
US11552649B1 (en) | 2021-12-03 | 2023-01-10 | Cirrus Logic, Inc. | Analog-to-digital converter-embedded fixed-phase variable gain amplifier stages for dual monitoring paths |
Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5844983A (en) * | 1997-07-10 | 1998-12-01 | Ericsson Inc. | Method and apparatus for controlling a telephone ring signal |
US5892817A (en) * | 1995-07-10 | 1999-04-06 | Will; Craig Alexander | Wireless system for alerting individual to incoming telephone call |
US5966438A (en) * | 1996-03-05 | 1999-10-12 | Ericsson Inc. | Method and apparatus for adaptive volume control for a radiotelephone |
US6134455A (en) * | 1998-06-30 | 2000-10-17 | Nokia Mobile Phones Limited | Annunciating apparatus, and associated method, for radio communication device |
US6408187B1 (en) * | 1999-05-14 | 2002-06-18 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for determining the behavior of a communications device based upon environmental conditions |
US20020116982A1 (en) * | 2001-02-26 | 2002-08-29 | Ananth Dodabalapur | Odor sensing with organic transistors |
US20020116983A1 (en) * | 2001-02-26 | 2002-08-29 | Zhenan Bao | Electronic odor sensor |
US20040266449A1 (en) * | 2002-02-06 | 2004-12-30 | Palo Alto Research Center, Incorporated | Method, apparatus, and program product for provisioning secure wireless sensors |
US20050088297A1 (en) * | 2003-10-06 | 2005-04-28 | Yasushi Miyajima | Information recording device and information recording method |
US6954657B2 (en) * | 2000-06-30 | 2005-10-11 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Wireless communication device having intelligent alerting system |
US20050266899A1 (en) * | 2001-05-14 | 2005-12-01 | Innovision Research & Technology Plc | Electrical devices |
-
2005
- 2005-03-31 US US11/094,263 patent/US7333604B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2008
- 2008-02-18 US US12/032,756 patent/US20080170683A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5892817A (en) * | 1995-07-10 | 1999-04-06 | Will; Craig Alexander | Wireless system for alerting individual to incoming telephone call |
US5966438A (en) * | 1996-03-05 | 1999-10-12 | Ericsson Inc. | Method and apparatus for adaptive volume control for a radiotelephone |
US5844983A (en) * | 1997-07-10 | 1998-12-01 | Ericsson Inc. | Method and apparatus for controlling a telephone ring signal |
US6134455A (en) * | 1998-06-30 | 2000-10-17 | Nokia Mobile Phones Limited | Annunciating apparatus, and associated method, for radio communication device |
US6408187B1 (en) * | 1999-05-14 | 2002-06-18 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for determining the behavior of a communications device based upon environmental conditions |
US6954657B2 (en) * | 2000-06-30 | 2005-10-11 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Wireless communication device having intelligent alerting system |
US20020116982A1 (en) * | 2001-02-26 | 2002-08-29 | Ananth Dodabalapur | Odor sensing with organic transistors |
US20020116983A1 (en) * | 2001-02-26 | 2002-08-29 | Zhenan Bao | Electronic odor sensor |
US20050266899A1 (en) * | 2001-05-14 | 2005-12-01 | Innovision Research & Technology Plc | Electrical devices |
US20040266449A1 (en) * | 2002-02-06 | 2004-12-30 | Palo Alto Research Center, Incorporated | Method, apparatus, and program product for provisioning secure wireless sensors |
US20050088297A1 (en) * | 2003-10-06 | 2005-04-28 | Yasushi Miyajima | Information recording device and information recording method |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080070640A1 (en) * | 2006-09-15 | 2008-03-20 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Mobile communication terminal and method for performing automatic incoming call notification mode change |
US8285339B2 (en) * | 2006-09-15 | 2012-10-09 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Mobile communication terminal and method for performing automatic incoming call notification mode change |
US20080144795A1 (en) * | 2006-12-13 | 2008-06-19 | Mona Singh | Methods And Systems For Selectively Playing Received Ringtones |
US8098811B2 (en) * | 2006-12-13 | 2012-01-17 | Scenera Technologies, Llc | Methods and systems for selectively playing received ringtones |
US20100004000A1 (en) * | 2008-07-03 | 2010-01-07 | Arima Communications Corp. | Method for Automatically Changing Incoming Call Alert Profile Upon the Current Location |
US8676275B2 (en) | 2012-08-20 | 2014-03-18 | International Business Machines Corporation | Ambient sound-based call functions |
US8660616B1 (en) | 2012-08-20 | 2014-02-25 | International Business Machines Corporation | Ambient sound-based call functions |
US8923824B1 (en) * | 2012-08-28 | 2014-12-30 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Mobile notifications based upon location |
US9351110B2 (en) | 2012-08-28 | 2016-05-24 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Mobile notifications based upon location |
US9143898B1 (en) | 2013-04-22 | 2015-09-22 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Automatically selecting alert modes based on location |
US9973896B2 (en) | 2013-04-22 | 2018-05-15 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Automatically selecting alert modes based on location |
US20150229756A1 (en) * | 2014-02-07 | 2015-08-13 | First Principles, Inc. | Device and method for authenticating a user of a voice user interface and selectively managing incoming communications |
US9854439B2 (en) * | 2014-02-07 | 2017-12-26 | First Principles, Inc. | Device and method for authenticating a user of a voice user interface and selectively managing incoming communications |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7333604B2 (en) | 2008-02-19 |
US20060153358A1 (en) | 2006-07-13 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7333604B2 (en) | Adaptive notification of an incoming call in a mobile phone | |
US7869768B1 (en) | Techniques for controlling speaker volume of a portable communications device | |
EP1162853B1 (en) | Portable phone that changes behaviour according to its geographical position | |
EP1817848B1 (en) | Handheld communications device with automatic alert mode selection | |
US20050107129A1 (en) | Environment-aware call annunciator | |
EP1298954A1 (en) | Method for automatically selecting the alert type for a mobile communications device | |
US20030013495A1 (en) | Adaptive audible alert volume control | |
US20060264245A1 (en) | System and method for controlling notification characteristics of a mobile communication device | |
US20070192067A1 (en) | Apparatus for Automatically Selecting Ring and Vibration Mode of a Mobile Communication Device | |
US20080132290A1 (en) | Methods and devices for environmental triggering of missed message alerts | |
US20090312067A1 (en) | System and Method of Escalating Call Alert Indications | |
KR20040077709A (en) | Portable telephone apparatus | |
KR100608820B1 (en) | Method for controlling volume of mobile communication terminal | |
US7383059B2 (en) | Portable terminal device and communications device system wherein the device is used | |
US20050136976A1 (en) | System and method for dynamically handling wireless telephone calls | |
US20110151782A1 (en) | System and method for communication with hands-free profile | |
KR100744346B1 (en) | Method for adjusting volume of bell sound and the mobile communication terminal thereof | |
KR20030000713A (en) | The device of bell auto setting in Mobile phone to environment and Method of bell auto setting using the device of bell auto setting in Mobile phone | |
KR100677351B1 (en) | Remote control method for alarm and morning call of mobile communication terminal | |
JP2002033790A (en) | Telephone equipment | |
KR20070057391A (en) | Communication device of changing receiving mode by detecting noise and method for operating the device | |
JP2008294507A (en) | Telephone enabling calling in manner incoming mode | |
KR20030034725A (en) | Apparatus and method for automatically adjusting arrival of the bell by surrounding noise degree in wireless telecommunication terminal | |
KR20070056861A (en) | Apparatus and method for switching incoming call alarm mode | |
KR20040044830A (en) | Method for changing receiving-mode automatically in mobile communication terminal |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SUN, DAVID, CALIFORNIA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:MODU LTD.;REEL/FRAME:023810/0357 Effective date: 20091201 Owner name: SUN, DAVID,CALIFORNIA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:MODU LTD.;REEL/FRAME:023810/0357 Effective date: 20091201 |
|
XAS | Not any more in us assignment database |
Free format text: RECORDATION;ASSIGNOR:MODU LTD.;REEL/FRAME:023639/0498 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GOOGLE INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MODU LTD.;REEL/FRAME:030351/0496 Effective date: 20120207 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GOOGLE LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:GOOGLE INC.;REEL/FRAME:044142/0357 Effective date: 20170929 |